Rip Curl South Africa is proud to announce the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Men’s and Women’s WSL QS 2,000 events, as well as the Rip Curl Vic Bay Pro Junior Men’s and Women’s WJR 1,000 events at Victoria Bay in June. These events will form the official start of the 2026/2027 Africa Qualifying Series.
Header Image: Louise Lepront in action at the Vic Bay 2025 event © Kody McGregor
Who
Rip Curl South Africa and the World Surf League (WSL) Africa will host the 2026 Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro, with support from George Municipality and George Tourism.
Additional sponsors include Bliz Eyewear, Bilt International, Yeti, The Pottery in George, and the Royal St Andrews Hotel in Port Alfred. These tournaments will attract the top surfers in the country as they bid for points, qualification and prize money.
What
The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro will feature a WSL Africa Qualifying Series (QS) 2,000 event for men and women, alongside a Pro Junior tournament for men and women.
The event marks the official start of the 2026/2027 WSL Africa Qualifying Series season.
When
The contest takes place from June 19-21, 2026, a prime window period for excellent surf at this premier right-hand point break.
Where
The event will run at Victoria Bay on the Garden Route, one of South Africa’s most recognised high-performance surf breaks.
Why
The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro continues the momentum generated by the recent Rip Curl contests in Port Alfred, where both events reached maximum capacity and enjoyed excellent surf conditions throughout the competition period.
The addition of the Pro Junior divisions and a dedicated broadcast across the full event window will further increase exposure for the surfers, the event, and the Garden Route region.
WSL Africa Regional Director Tasha Mentasti said the event continues to play an important role in the regional surfing calendar.
“WSL Africa is excited to return to the iconic Garden Route for the 2026 Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro, marking our second consecutive year hosting this event in one of South Africa’s most celebrated surf destinations,” said Mentasti.
“As the official start of the 2026/2027 Africa Qualifying Series, the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro plays a key role in setting the tone for the season ahead.
“Thanks to the investment and support from Rip Curl South Africa, we’ve been able to elevate the event further this year by adding a Pro Junior division and delivering a dedicated broadcast across the full duration of the competition.
“This not only enhances opportunities for emerging talent but also significantly increases the visibility of the event and the region.
“It is particularly rewarding to work alongside partners who understand the broader impact of these regional qualifiers.
“Events like the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro bring meaningful economic and social benefits to small coastal towns, especially during the quieter winter months, while continuing to grow the sport at both a grassroots and professional level.”
